The latest word terrifying TV execs: ‘vagina’

Every weekday, PR Daily associate editor Alan Pearcy highlights the day’s most compelling stories and amusing marginalia on the Web in this, #TheDailySpin.

If you never dreamed of hoisting a big, beautiful piece of glowing rock above your head, getting slimed alongside your kinfolk in a battle of brute strength, or preparing to storm a Mayan temple as an honorary Silver Snake any time you put on a bike helmet, you clearly missed out on the best of ‘80s and ‘90s Nickelodeon.

Unfortunately, it seems a recent campaign by Kotex is reliving some horrible rerun of “You Can’t Do That on Television.” Adweek reports that the feminine hygiene brand’s candid approach to its “Generation Know” effort left the Big Four networks uneasy, all of which requested the documentary-style spots be revised to avoid the word “vagina.” According to Terri Mattucci, an account supervisor at Ogilvy, the agency responsible for the work: "We really had to push the envelope here. In order to be an honest brand, it's up to us to be more open in our discussion about it."

Speaking of Nickelodeon, according to Advertising Age, the notable children’s network is hoping to revive ratings in its upfront with programming changes that target so-called post-millennials—kids born after 2005.

Change is also coming to Olive Garden, where parent company Darden Restaurants plans to redesign the Italian eatery’s signature logo, as well as revamp its interiors, the Orlando Sentinel reports. These changes mean scaling back construction, with no more than 15 new locations opening annually for the next couple of years.

Unlimited soup, salad, and breadsticks must be on everyone’s mind—or at least on the minds of Republicans. A recent survey by Public Policy Polling examining food preferences of political parties found that members of the GOP voted Olive Garden “a quality source of authentic ethnic food.” Democrats disagreed. But what about bagels vs. donuts? KFC vs. Chick-fil-A? Find out where party lines divide on Gawker.

But not all beverage advertising is created equal. Anheuser-Busch is currently finding this out after lawsuits were filed that accuse the distributor of watering down its Budweiser and Michelob brands.

Anyone who has ever played a boozy round of “Power Hour” probably wouldn’t object to drinking watered-down beer by minute 36 or 37. Now imagine three years of the game. That and some $30,000 of her own money is what it took Ali Spagnola to emerge triumphant in overturning a mistake by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in regards to the trademarking of the term. Read the full story at Boing Boing.

And what about Pepsi—is it infringing upon a Coca-Cola trademark? In an amusing parody from HUMORdy of Crystal Pepsi, the brand’s clear and caffeine-free variety from the early-90s, “the inventor” of the drink has the epiphany to create what he calls “Brown Sprite.” (via Laughing Squid)

I doubt “Brown Sprite” would take off. The new in-flight video from Air New Zealand, however, is another story. Featuring “Man vs. Wild” star Bear Grylls, “The Bear Essentials of Safety” video launched aboard the carrier’s fleet this week. According to The New Zealand Herald, Grylls is only the latest celebrity to take part, with past safety videos having included Lindsay Lohan, Snoop Dogg, cast and crew from “The Hobbit,” and Richard Simmons.

Is there something you think we should include in our next edition of #TheDailySpin? Tweet me @iquotesometimes with your suggestions. Thanks in advance.